Growing your business is challenging and fun. But growth means working with more people, and that requires close attention to whom you invite to work in your company. Whether it’s a new partner, supplier, or employee, new people create complexity in your business and require you to grow your capacity as a leader.
Let’s take a quick look at the hiring process as one place where a Jesus-centered approach begins.
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
-Proverbs 13:20
The Bible clearly tells us that it’s important to choose the right company we keep. But does that mean you can only hire and work with other Christians?
Tyson Foods employs roughly 122,000 employees, and not all would identify as Christian. Although the ownership of Tyson Foods has changed over the years, the leadership still maintains strong Christian values that have guided the company from the very beginning. Tyson Foods is known for providing pastoral care for their employees via a chaplain program. By safeguarding the spiritual lives of people who work for them, Tyson respects, supports and loves their employees with the love of Jesus in tangible ways.
What Makes a Good Employee?
One of the biggest challenges of any company is to carefully select and hire the right people for the right position. According to Employment Ontario, the 10 top qualities for a good hire are:
- Good Communicator
- Honest
- Technically Competent
- Strong Work Ethic
- Flexible
- Determined & Persistent
- A Team Player
- Lifetime Learner
- Problem Solver
- Loyal
A Christian business owner may want to look for additional qualities when hiring, to help create a working environment that also supports people over profits and nourishes the spirit of the business. Here are five more qualities that should top your list when interviewing for a new position or taking on a new supplier.
- Kindness. Are they friendly, generous and considerate?
- Humility. Do they credit co-workers with shared achievements and seek the best for the team over themselves?
- Tolerance. Do they show patience for co-worker’s mistakes, and can they adjust in stressful situations?
- Forgiving. Do they work to keep harmony and camaraderie in your workplace? Do they work with others to find equitable solutions for problems?
Experience and talent are important for growing any business, but Christian entrepreneurs need to look for a bit more to help their business thrive and live out their values in the marketplace.